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Register of apprenticeship training providers

Organisations that are eligible to receive government funding to train apprentices.

Register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP)

Organisations that are eligible to receive government funding to train apprentices.

Key changes to the RoATP

The register of apprenticeship training providers closed for new applications on Wednesday 15 April 2020. This was due to the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) may have had on apprenticeship training providers and the ESFA.

The RoATP is only open for providers that meet the criteria for the exceptions process for critical worker – linked provisions.

From 1 April 2021, Ofsted has become the single body responsible for the inspection of apprenticeship training provision at all levels. Read this announcement for further information.

Widening of the current ‘employer provider’ entry condition

Any levy-paying employers delivering services critical to the COVID-19 response are currently able to apply to the register, through the employer route, if they are able to provide the apprenticeship training their organisation needs. We are now extending this so that new levy employer providers can also apply through both the ‘main’ and ‘supporting’ routes to the register. Any providers who have been successful through this exceptions process since its inception in April 2020 will still be subject to the refresh planned from May 2021.

Widening of other entry conditions

We are also widening the current set of targeted entry conditions to the register to allow more training providers through the ‘main’ or ‘supporting’ routes, where applicants can demonstrate they are catering to critical workers and have a linked employer’s endorsement.

The employer endorsement is a further step for ‘main’ and ‘supporting’ provider application routes that seeks to verify that any new training responds to an identified training gap. Applications will be reviewed within 10 working days to ensure there is sufficient evidence that they meet the critical worker and employer-verified training gap priority criteria.

If you are successful in proving that you will be delivering critical worker provision that is also verified by an employer as filling a training gap, we will provide an invitation through our Bravo application portal which will give you the ability to formally apply to the register. If you are not successful you will be notified by email.

All successful providers will only be able to deliver the critical worker-linked provision set out in their application. They will not be able to deliver apprenticeship training more generally. This is to ensure that new training provision enabled through the register is matched only to identified skills needs. If found to be delivering non-critical worker-linked provisions, you may be removed from the register under the conditions of acceptance.

Any provider submitting applications through any of the routes mentioned above will have 30 days to apply through the application route requested, from the date of invitation.

We will keep this approach to targeted entry to the register under review during the pandemic, and include any changes to the definition of ‘critical workers’ if they arise.

If you are unsuccessful in proving that you will be delivering a critical skills priority at this time, you have no right of appeal. You can reapply through the exceptions process 30 days after receiving the unsuccessful notification.

Ofsted reinspection

Providers that were previously graded 4 (‘inadequate’) by Ofsted but are overdue a full reinspection, which has been delayed because of COVID-19, will be temporarily eligible to reapply to the register of apprenticeship training providers with an Ofsted reinspection monitoring visit outcome showing that either “reasonable” or “significant” progress has been made.

Eligible providers will be able to apply in line with the widening of the register’s entry conditions effective from 1 March 2021, as detailed above. This exception is temporary while Ofsted inspection activity is limited due to COVID-19 and we will provide an update when this arrangement will cease to apply and Ofsted returns to conducting full inspections.

Removal of inactive providers from the register

Any provider that has not actively delivered within a 6 month period may be removed from the register, subject to any appeal, starting from May 2021. No active delivery means within a 6 month rolling period. This change is to ensure employers and apprentices have confidence that providers on the register are active deliverers of good quality training.

Requirement to reapply to the register for all remaining, active providers

To drive up the quality of apprenticeship provision, the government strategy is to progressively introduce more stringent entry criteria for the register. This will require all remaining, active providers to reapply to the register, taking into account a new set of application criteria from May 2021. We will operate a phased reapplication approach throughout 2021 to 2022.

Subject-specific expertise is essential to delivering high-quality apprenticeships that meet the skills needs of apprentices and employers. We are looking for providers to evidence their capacity and expertise and are considering how this may be required beyond the initial application process where providers wish to expand their delivery to new areas.

Your organisation can only apply once in a 12-month period.

If you have any questions, contact us at: [email protected]

The register of apprenticeship training providers lists organisations eligible to receive government funding to train apprentices.

More information about becoming a registered apprenticeship training provider.

Apply to the register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP)

Exceptions process for critical worker – linked provisions

Organisations that are delivering, or planning to deliver, apprenticeship services critical to COVID-19.

Apply using the RoATP exceptions service

Other providers – refresh applications

All other organisations should use the RoATP service.

Apply using the RoATP service

Published 14 March 2017
Last updated 13 May 2021 + show all updates

  1. The page is now shorter, contains updated guidance and links to 2 application routes.

  2. Changing Conditions of acceptance for training providers (until 9 May 2021) from a PDF to HTML document.

  3. Condition 6 has been clarified in the conditions of acceptance document effective from 10 May 2021.

  4. Page updated to reflect changes to the register of apprenticeship training providers.

  5. Updated conditions of acceptance.

  6. Updated to include information relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

  7. Updated conditions of acceptance.

  8. Added further detail on removing a training provider from the register. Added updated application guidance.

  9. We have updated the application guidance.

  10. We have updated the application guidance.

  11. The register of apprenticeship training providers is open. We have published guidance to help you with the application process.

  12. Updated guidance about applying to the register of apprenticeship training providers.

  13. Added information about removing an apprenticeship training provider from the register.

  14. The register of apprenticeship training providers will close for applications at 5pm on Friday, 3 November.

  15. The register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP) is now open for applications and closes at 5pm on Friday, 27 October.

  16. Added details about the register of apprenticeship training providers opening for applications.

  17. First published.


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